Mobile devices, systems, methods, and computer readable media associated with a smoking substitute device

ABSTRACT

A mobile device is described. The mobile device includes an application installed thereon. The application is configured to communicate with a smoking substitute device, wherein the application is configured to: instruct a user to perform an operation at the smoking substitute device; verify whether the operation has been correctly performed by the user at the smoking substitute device; and inform the user whether the operation has been correctly performed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCESTATEMENT

The present patent application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No.17/002,054, filed Aug. 25, 2020 which is a continuation of InternationalApplication No. PCT/EP2019/053505, filed Feb. 13, 2019; which claimspriority to the patent application identified by GB Serial No.1803028.8, filed on Feb. 26, 2018. The entire contents of each of theabove-referenced patent(s)/patent application(s) are hereby expresslyincorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to mobile devices, systems, methods andcomputer readable media associated with a smoking substitute devices.

BACKGROUND

The smoking of tobacco is generally considered to expose a smoker topotentially harmful substances. It is generally thought that asignificant amount of the potentially harmful substances are generatedthrough the heat caused by the burning and/or combustion of the tobaccoand the constituents of the burnt tobacco in the tobacco smoke itself.

Combustion of organic material such as tobacco is known to produce tarand other potentially harmful by-products. There have been proposedvarious smoking substitute devices in order to avoid the smoking oftobacco.

Such smoking substitute devices can form part of nicotine replacementtherapies aimed at people who wish to stop smoking and overcome adependence on nicotine.

Smoking substitute devices may comprise electronic systems that permit auser to simulate the act of smoking by producing an aerosol, alsoreferred to as a “vapour”, that is drawn into the lungs through themouth (inhaled) and then exhaled. The inhaled aerosol typically bearsnicotine and/or flavourings without, or with fewer of, the odour andhealth risks associated with traditional smoking.

In general, smoking substitute devices are intended to provide asubstitute for the rituals of smoking, whilst providing the user with asimilar experience and satisfaction to those experienced withtraditional smoking and tobacco products.

The popularity and use of smoking substitute devices has grown rapidlyin the past few years. Although originally marketed as an aid to assisthabitual smokers wishing to quit tobacco smoking, consumers areincreasingly viewing smoking substitute devices as desirable lifestyleaccessories. Some smoking substitute devices are designed to resemble atraditional cigarette and are cylindrical in form with a mouthpiece atone end. Other smoking substitute devices do not generally resemble acigarette (for example, the smoking substitute device may have agenerally box-like form).

There are a number of different categories of smoking substitutedevices, each utilising a different smoking substitute approach. Asmoking substitute approach corresponds to the manner in which thesubstitute system operates for a user.

One approach for a smoking substitute device is the so-called “vaping”approach, in which a vapourisable liquid, typically referred to (andreferred to herein) as “e-liquid”, is heated by a heating device toproduce an aerosol vapour which is inhaled by a user. An e-liquidtypically includes a base liquid as well as nicotine and/or flavourings.The resulting vapour therefore typically contains nicotine and/orflavourings. The base liquid may include propylene glycol and/orvegetable glycerin.

A typical vaping smoking substitute device includes a mouthpiece, apower source (typically a battery), a tank for containing e-liquid, aswell as a heating device. In use, electrical energy is supplied from thepower source to the heating device, which heats the e-liquid to producean aerosol (or “vapour”) which is inhaled by a user through themouthpiece.

Vaping smoking substitute devices can be configured in a variety ofways. For example, there are “closed system” vaping smoking substitutedevices which typically have a sealed tank and heating element which ispre-filled with e-liquid and is not intended to be refilled by an enduser. One subset of closed system vaping smoking substitute devicesinclude a main body which includes the power source, wherein the mainbody is configured to be physically and electrically coupled to aconsumable including the tank and the heating element. In this way, whenthe tank of a consumable has been emptied, the main body can be reusedby connecting it to a new consumable. Another subset of closed systemvaping smoking substitute devices are completely disposable, andintended for one-use only.

There are also “open system” vaping smoking substitute devices whichtypically have a tank that is configured to be refilled by a user, sothe device can be used multiple times.

An example vaping smoking substitute device is the myblu™ e-cigarette.The myblu™ e-cigarette is a closed system device which includes a mainbody and a consumable. The main body and consumable are physically andelectrically coupled together by pushing the consumable into the mainbody. The main body includes a rechargeable battery. The consumableincludes a mouthpiece, a sealed tank which contains e-liquid, as well asa heating device, which for this device is a heating filament coiledaround a portion of a wick which is partially immersed in the e-liquid.The device is activated when a microprocessor on board the main bodydetects a user inhaling through the mouthpiece. When the device isactivated, electrical energy is supplied from the power source to theheating device, which heats e-liquid from the tank to produce a vapourwhich is inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece.

Another example vaping smoking substitute device is the blu PRO™e-cigarette. The blu PRO™ e-cigarette is an open system device whichincludes a main body, a (refillable) tank, and a mouthpiece. The mainbody and tank are physically and electrically coupled together byscrewing one to the other. The mouthpiece and refillable tank arephysically coupled together by screwing one of the other, and detachingthe mouthpiece from the refillable tank allows the tank to be refilledwith e-liquid. The device is activated by a button on the main body.When the device is activated, electrical energy is supplied from thepower source to a heating device, which heats e-liquid from the tank toproduce a vapour which is inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece.

Another approach for a smoking substitute device is the so-called “heatnot burn” (“HNB”) approach in which tobacco (rather than e-liquid) isheated or warmed to release vapour. The tobacco may be leaf tobacco orreconstituted tobacco. The vapour may contain nicotine and/orflavourings. In the HNB approach the intention is that the tobacco isheated but not burned, i.e. does not undergo combustion.

A typical HNB smoking substitute device may include a main body and aconsumable. The consumable may include the tobacco material. The mainbody and consumable may be configured to be physically coupled together.In use, heat may be imparted to the tobacco material by a heating devicethat is typically located in the main body, wherein airflow through thetobacco material causes moisture in the tobacco material to be releasedas vapour. A vapour may be formed from a carrier in the tobacco material(this carrier may for example include propylene glycol and/or vegetableglycerin) and additionally volatile compounds released from the tobacco.The released vapour may be entrained in the airflow drawn through thetobacco.

As the vapour passes through the smoking substitute device (entrained inthe airflow) from an inlet to a mouthpiece (outlet), the vapour coolsand condenses to form an aerosol (also referred to as a vapour) forinhalation by the user. The aerosol will normally contain the volatilecompounds.

In HNB smoking substitute devices, heating as opposed to burning thetobacco material is believed to cause fewer, or smaller quantities, ofthe more harmful compounds ordinarily produced during smoking.Consequently, the HNB approach may reduce the odour and/or health risksthat can arise through the burning, combustion and pyrolytic degradationof tobacco.

An example of the HNB approach is the IQOS™ smoking substitute devicefrom Philip Morris Ltd. The IQOS™ smoking substitute device uses aconsumable, including reconstituted tobacco located in a wrapper. Theconsumable includes a holder incorporating a mouthpiece. The consumablemay be inserted into a main body that includes a heating device. Theheating device has a thermally conductive heating knife which penetratesthe reconstituted tobacco of the consumable, when the consumable isinserted into the heating device. Activation of the heating device heatsthe heating element (in this case a heating knife), which, in turn,heats the tobacco in the consumable. The heating of the tobacco causesit to release nicotine vapour and flavourings which may be drawn throughthe mouthpiece by the user through inhalation.

A second example of the HNB approach is the device known as “Glo”™ fromBritish American Tobacco p.l.c. Glo™ comprises a relatively thinconsumable. The consumable includes leaf tobacco which is heated by aheating device located in a main body. When the consumable is placed inthe main body, the tobacco is surrounded by a heating element of theheating device. Activation of the heating device heats the heatingelement, which, in turn, heats the tobacco in the consumable. Theheating of the tobacco causes it to release nicotine vapour andflavourings which may be drawn through the consumable by the userthrough inhalation. The tobacco, when heated by the heating device, isconfigured to produce vapour when heated rather than when burned (as ina smoking apparatus, e.g. a cigarette). The tobacco may contain highlevels of aerosol formers (carrier), such as vegetable glycerine (“VG”)or propylene glycol (“PG”).

The present inventor(s) have observed that most smoking substitutedevices currently on the market are configured to operate in isolationof other devices, which limits the functions the smoking substitutedevices can perform.

The present inventor(s) have also observed that as smoking substitutedevices become more sophisticated, it becomes more challenging to informa user about the functions the smoking substitute device can perform.Some users ignore or do not want to read instruction manuals explainingsuch functions.

The present disclosure has been devised in light of the aboveconsiderations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments and experiments illustrating the principles of the presentdisclosure will now be discussed with reference to the accompanyingfigures in which:

FIG. 1 shows an example system for managing a smoking substitute device.

FIG. 2(a) shows an example smoking substitute device for use as thesmoking substitute device in the system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 2(b) shows the main body of the smoking substitute device of FIG.2(a) without the consumable.

FIG. 2(c) shows the consumable of the smoking substitute device of FIG.2(a) without the main body.

FIG. 3(a) is a schematic view of the main body of the smoking substitutedevice of FIG. 2(a).

FIG. 3(b) is a schematic view of the consumable of the smokingsubstitute device of FIG. 2(a).

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example method involving thesmoking substitute device of FIG. 2(a).

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing another example method involving thesmoking substitute device of FIG. 2(a).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to a first non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure,there is provided a mobile device on which an application is installed,the application being configured to communicate with a smokingsubstitute device, wherein the application is configured to: inform auser about a function that can be performed by the smoking substitutedevice; and instruct the smoking substitute device to demonstrate thefunction.

Accordingly, the user of the smoking substitute device may be taughtabout a function, or functions, of the smoking substitute device withoutthe need for instructions, such as a product manual. Therefore,functions of the smoking substitute device are easier to understand andusers may respond to functions more quickly and easily. As theapplication is configured to instruct the smoking substitute device todemonstrate a function, the user can experience a demonstration of thefunction (which could be performance of the function or a simulation ofthe function), thereby further helping the user to more easily recognisethe function of the smoking substitute device.

The mobile device may be a mobile phone or a tablet, for example.

The function may be the smoking substitute device providing feedback toa user that indicates a state of the smoking substitute device.

Such feedback could be any one or more of, but not limited to: operatinga light, operating a light in a predetermined colour, operating aflashing light in a predetermined sequence and/or a predeterminedcolour, haptic feedback (e.g. vibration of the smoking substitutedevice), producing a sound. Accordingly, the smoking substitute devicemay include any one or more of, but not limited to: a light, such as anLED, and/or a speaker for producing a sound, and/or an actuator forproducing haptic feedback.

A state of the smoking substitute device indicated by the feedback couldbe any one or more of, but not limited to: (i) the smoking substitutedevice is charging; (ii) a power source of the smoking substitute devicehas low battery; (iii) a power source of the smoking substitute devicehas full battery; (iv) the smoking substitute device is searching for aconnection (e.g. a wireless connection) to the application on the mobiledevice; (v) the smoking substitute device is connected to theapplication on the mobile device; (vi) the smoking substitute device isnot connected to the application on the mobile device; (vii) the smokingsubstitute device is activated; (viii) the smoking substitute device isnot activated; (ix) a consumable is not correctly connected to a mainbody of the smoking substitute device; (x) a consumable is correctlyconnected to a main body of the smoking substitute device; (xi) aconsumable is empty; (xii) a consumable is full.

Note that demonstrating a function does not necessarily require thefunction to be performed. For example, demonstrating a function couldinvolve the application instructing the smoking substitute device tosimulate the function by providing feedback indicating a particularstate in order to demonstrate the function, without the devicenecessarily being in that state.

In this way, the user can experience a demonstration of the feedbackthat indicates a state of the smoking substitute device, without thesmoking substitute device actually being in that state. Therefore, theuser is taught to determine a state of the substitute smoking devicebased on corresponding feedback. In this way, whenever the smokingsubstitute device performs the function (i.e. performs the feedback),the user can establish that the function indicates a specific state ofthe smoking substitute device, and therefore determine that the smokingsubstitute device is in that specific state, e.g. without the userneeding to read a paper-based instruction manual.

As an example, the application may inform a user that a flashing redlight on the smoking substitute device indicates low battery, and theninstruct the smoking substitute device to demonstrate the flashing redlight. The user is made aware of how the flashing red light appears onthe smoking substitute device, and that the flashing red light isindicative of low battery. Therefore, whenever the light on the smokingsubstitute device flashes red, the user can determine that the smokingsubstitute device has a low battery. The user may then decide to chargethe smoking substitute device accordingly.

The application may be configured to instruct the smoking device todemonstrate the function wirelessly via a wireless interface on themobile device and a wireless interface on the smoking substitute device.In other words, the application may be configured to wirelesslycommunicate with a smoking substitute device to instruct the smokingsubstitute device to demonstrate the function via a wirelesscommunication channel between a wireless interface on the mobile deviceand a wireless interface on the smoking substitute device. For example,the smoking substitute device may be configured to communicate viaBluetooth™, or via WiFi, with the application. Alternatively, theapplication may be configured to instruct the smoking device todemonstrate the function via a cable connection.

The application may be configured to communicate with an applicationserver, e.g. via a network. The network may be a wireless communicationchannel such as a cellular network, a Bluetooth™ network or a WiFinetwork. The application server may be configured to communicateinformation about the function to the application. The information aboutthe function may be stored in the application server, e.g. which mayitself utilise cloud storage. Further, the application may be configuredto instruct the smoking substitute device to demonstrate the functionbased on the information communicated from the application server. Inother words, information received by the application from theapplication server may be used by the application to perform the abovesteps in relation to the function. An advantage of this arrangement isthat if the smoking substitute device gains a new function, e.g. due tofirmware pushed out to the smoking substitute device by the applicationserver, then that new function can be demonstrated to the user based oninformation received from the application server, without the need tofind another way of informing the user about the new functionality. Theinformation received by the application from the application servercould be configured to cause the application to automatically inform anddemonstrate a new function acquired by the smoking substitute device(e.g. in a manner described herein), when the smoking substitute devicegains that function.

The application may be further configured to inform the user that thefunction is being demonstrated. In this way, the user is made aware thata demonstration of the function is taking place. Alternatively, theapplication may be configured to inform the user that the function willbe demonstrated, or that the function has been previously demonstrated.

The application may be further configured to inform a user about asecond function that can be performed by the smoking substitute device;and instruct the smoking substitute device to demonstrate the secondfunction. It should be noted that any number of functions could beperformed and/or demonstrated by the smoking substitute device. In thisway, the user is able to distinguish between different functions, andtherefore different states of the smoking substitute device.Specifically, the user is able to distinguish between differentfeedbacks to establish a state of the smoking substitute device.

As an example, the application may inform a user that a flashing redlight on the smoking substitute device indicates low battery, and theninstruct the smoking substitute device to demonstrate the flashing redlight. The application may then inform the user that a flashing bluelight on the smoking substitute device indicates that a consumable isempty, and then instruct the smoking substitute device to demonstratethe flashing blue light. The user is made aware of how the flashing redlight appears on the smoking substitute device, and that the flashingred light is indicative of low battery. The user is also made aware ofhow the flashing blue light appears on the smoking substitute device,and that the flashing blue light is indicative that a consumable isempty. Therefore, whenever the light on the smoking substitute deviceflashes red, the user can determine that the smoking substitute devicehas a low battery. Similarly, whenever the light on the smokingsubstitute device flashes blue, the user can determine that the smokingsubstitute device has an empty consumable. In other words, in use, theuser is able to distinguish between the flashing red light and theflashing blue light, and determine the state of the smoking substitutedevice. The user may then charge the smoking substitute device, orreplace/refill a consumable, accordingly.

A second non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure relates to asystem for managing a smoking substitute device including a mobiledevice according to the first non-limiting aspect of the presentdisclosure.

According to a second non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure,there is provided a system for managing a smoking substitute deviceincluding: a mobile device according to the first non-limiting aspect ofthe present disclosure; and a smoking substitute device, wherein thesmoking substitute device is configured to communicate with theapplication.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the smoking substitute device isconfigured to communicate wirelessly with the application, e.g. via awireless interface on the mobile device and a wireless interface on thesmoking substitute device.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the smoking substitute device isconfigured to demonstrate the function when instructed to do so by theapplication, e.g. as described above, thereby helping the user to moreeasily recognise the function of the smoking substitute device.

A third non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure relates to amethod performed by a mobile device according to the first non-limitingaspect of the present disclosure or a system according to the secondnon-limiting aspect of the present disclosure.

According to a third non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure,there is provided a method including, at a mobile device on which anapplication is installed, wherein the application is configured tocommunicate with a smoking substitute device, performing the steps of:informing a user about a function that can be performed by the smokingsubstitute device; and instructing the smoking substitute device todemonstrate the function.

Accordingly, the user of the smoking substitute device may be taughtabout functions of the smoking substitute device without the need forinstructions, such as a product manual. Therefore, functions of thesmoking substitute device are easier to understand and users may respondto functions more quickly and easily.

The method may further include, at the smoking substitute device,demonstrating the function. Accordingly, the user can experience ademonstration, or simulation, of the function, thereby helping the userto more easily recognise the function of the smoking substitute device.

A method according to the third non-limiting aspect of the presentdisclosure may include a method step or feature corresponding to anyfeature or step described in connection with the first and/or secondnon-limiting aspects of the present disclosure.

According to a fourth non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure,there is provided a computer-readable medium having computer-executableinstructions configured to cause a mobile device or system to perform amethod according to the third non-limiting aspect of the presentdisclosure.

According to a fifth non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure,there is provided a mobile device on which an application is installed,the application being configured to communicate with a smokingsubstitute device, wherein the application is configured to: instruct auser to perform an operation at the smoking substitute device; verifywhether the operation has been correctly performed by the user at thesmoking substitute device; inform the user whether the operation hasbeen correctly performed.

The operation may be inserting a consumable into a main body of thesmoking substitute device. After the user has indicated at theapplication that the user has performed the operation, the applicationmay communicate with the smoking substitute device to instruct thesmoking substitute device to check (i.e. verify) whether the operationhas been correctly performed at the smoking substitute device.

In some examples, the smoking substitute device may inform the userwhether the operation has been correctly performed by the smokingsubstitute device providing feedback such as one or more of: operating alight, operating a light in a predetermined colour, operating a flashinglight in a predetermined sequence and/or a predetermined colour, hapticfeedback (e.g. vibration of the smoking substitute device), producing asound.

In some examples, the smoking substitute device may communicateinformation to the application indicating whether the operation has beenperformed correctly. The application may then inform the user whetherthe operation has been correctly (or incorrectly) performed based on theinformation received from the smoking substitute device, e.g. throughdisplaying a notification on a screen of the mobile device.

In this way, a user can learn how to operate the smoking substitutedevice correctly, without necessarily needing to read a paper-basedinstruction manual.

A sixth non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure relates to asystem for managing a smoking substitute device including a mobiledevice according to the fifth non-limiting aspect of the presentdisclosure.

According to a sixth non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure,there is provided a system for managing a smoking substitute deviceincluding: a mobile device according to the fifth non-limiting aspect ofthe present disclosure; and a smoking substitute device, wherein thesmoking substitute device is configured to communicate with theapplication (such as (but not limited to) wirelessly communicate withthe application).

A seventh non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure relates to amethod performed by a mobile device according to the fifth non-limitingaspect of the present disclosure or a system according to the sixthnon-limiting aspect of the present disclosure.

According to a seventh non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure,there is provided a method including, at a mobile device on which anapplication is installed, wherein the application is configured tocommunicate with a smoking substitute device, performing the steps of:instructing a user to perform an operation at the smoking substitutedevice; verifying whether the operation has been correctly performed bythe user at the smoking substitute device; and informing the userwhether the operation has been correctly performed.

A method according to the seventh non-limiting aspect of the presentdisclosure may include a method step or feature corresponding to anyfeature or step described in connection with the fifth and/or sixthnon-limiting aspects of the present disclosure.

According to an eighth non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure,there is provided a computer-readable medium having computer-executableinstructions configured to cause a mobile device or system to perform amethod according to the seventh non-limiting aspect of the presentdisclosure.

The present disclosure includes the combination of the aspects andparticular features described except where such a combination is clearlyimpermissible or expressly avoided.

Aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure will now be discussedwith reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects andembodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documentsmentioned in this text are incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 1 shows an example system 1 for managing a smoking substitutedevice 10.

The system 1 as shown in FIG. 1 includes a mobile device 2, anapplication server 4, an optional charging station 6, as well as thesmoking substitute device 10.

The smoking substitute device 10 is configured to communicatewirelessly, e.g. via Bluetooth™, with an application (or “app”)installed on the mobile device 2, e.g. via a suitable wireless interface(not shown) on the mobile device 2. The wireless connection between thesmoking substitute device 10 and the mobile device may be occasional, orintermittent. The mobile device 2 may be a mobile phone, for example.The application on the mobile phone is configured to communicate withthe application server 4, via a network 8. The application server 4 mayutilise cloud storage, for example.

The network 8 may include a cellular network and/or the internet.

A skilled person would readily appreciate that the mobile device 2 maybe configured to communicate via the network 8 according to variouscommunication channels, such as (but not limited to) a wirelesscommunication channel such as via a cellular network (e.g. according toa standard protocol, such as 3G or 4G) or via a WiFi network.

The app installed on the mobile device and the application server 4 maybe configured to assist a user with their smoking substitute device 10,based on information communicated between the smoking substitute device10 and the app and/or information communicated between the app and theapplication server 4.

The charging station 6 (if present) may be configured to charge (andoptionally communicate with) the smoking substitute device 10, via acharging port on the smoking substitute device 10. The charging port onthe smoking substitute device 10 may be a USB port, for example, whichmay allow the smoking substitute device to be charged by anyUSB-compatible device capable of delivering power to the smokingsubstitute device 10 via a suitable USB cable (in this case theUSB-compatible device would be acting as the charging station 6).Alternatively, the charging station could be a docking stationspecifically configured to dock with the smoking substitute device 10and charge the smoking substitute device 10 via the charging port on thesmoking substitute device 10.

FIG. 2(a) shows an example smoking substitute device 110 for use as thesmoking substitute device 10 in the system 1 of FIG. 1 .

In this example, the smoking substitute device 110 includes a main body120 and a consumable 150. The consumable 150 may alternatively bereferred to as a “pod.”

In this example, the smoking substitute device 110 is a closed systemvaping device, wherein the consumable 150 includes a sealed tank 156 andis intended for one-use only.

FIG. 2(a) shows the smoking substitute device 110 with the main body 120physically coupled to the consumable 150.

FIG. 2(b) shows the main body 120 of the smoking substitute device 110without the consumable 150.

FIG. 2(c) shows the consumable 150 of the smoking substitute device 110without the main body 120.

The main body 120 and the consumable 150 are configured to be physicallycoupled together, in this example by pushing the consumable 150 into anaperture in a top end 122 of the main body 120. In other examples, themain body 120 and the consumable could be physically coupled together byscrewing one onto the other, or through a bayonet fitting, for example.An optional light 126, e.g. an LED located behind a small translucentcover, is located a bottom end 124 of the main body 120. The light 126may be configured to illuminate when the smoking substitute device 110is activated.

The consumable 150 includes a mouthpiece (not shown) at a top end 152 ofthe consumable 150, as well as one or more air inlets (not shown in FIG.2 ) so that air can be drawn into the smoking substitute device 110 whena user inhales through the mouthpiece. At a bottom end 154 of theconsumable 150, there is located a tank 156 that contains e-liquid. Thetank 156 may be a translucent body, for example.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the tank 156 includes a window 158,so that the amount of e-liquid in the tank 156 can be visually assessed.The main body 120 includes a slot 128 so that the window 158 of theconsumable 150 can be seen whilst the rest of the tank 156 is obscuredfrom view when the consumable 150 is inserted into the aperture in thetop end 122 of the main body 120.

The tank 156 may be referred to as a “clearomizer” if it includes awindow 158, or a “cartomizer” if it does not.

FIG. 3(a) is a schematic view of the main body 120 of the smokingsubstitute device 110.

FIG. 3(b) is a schematic view of the consumable 150 of the smokingsubstitute device 110.

As shown in FIG. 3(a), the main body 120 includes a power source 128, acontrol unit 130, a memory 132, a wireless interface 134, an electricalinterface 136, and, optionally, one or more additional components 138.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the power source 128 is a battery,such as (but not limited to) a rechargeable battery.

The control unit 130 may include a microprocessor, for example.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the memory 132 is includesnon-volatile memory.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the wireless interface 134 isconfigured to communicate wirelessly with the mobile device 2, e.g. viaBluetooth. To this end, the wireless interface 134 could include aBluetooth™ antenna. Other wireless communication interfaces, e.g. WiFi,are also possible.

The electrical interface 136 of the main body 120 may include one ormore electrical contacts. The electrical interface 136 may be locatedin, and in certain non-limiting embodiments at the bottom of, theaperture in the top end 122 of the main body 120. When the main body 120is physically coupled to the consumable 150, the electrical interface136 may be configured to pass electrical power from the power source 128to (e.g. a heating device of) the consumable 150 when the smokingsubstitute device 110 is activated, e.g. via the electrical interface160 of the consumable 150 (discussed below). When the main body 120 isnot physically coupled to the consumable 150, the electrical interfacemay be configured to receive power from the charging station 6.

The additional components 138 of the main body 120 may include theoptional light 126 discussed above.

The additional components 138 of the main body 120 may, if the powersource 128 is a rechargeable battery, include a charging port configuredto receive power from the charging station 6. This may be located at thebottom end 124 of the main body 120. Alternatively, the electricalinterface 136 discussed above is configured to act as a charging portconfigured to receive power from the charging station 6 such that aseparate charging port is not required.

The additional components 138 of the main body 120 may, if the powersource 128 is a rechargeable battery, include a battery charging controlcircuit, for controlling the charging of the rechargeable battery.However, a battery charging control circuit could equally be located inthe charging station 6 (if present).

The additional components 138 of the main body 120 may include anairflow sensor for detecting airflow in the smoking substitute device110, e.g. caused by a user inhaling through a mouthpiece 166 (discussedbelow) of the smoking substitute device 110. The smoking substitutedevice 110 may be configured to be activated when airflow is detected bythe airflow sensor. This optional sensor could alternatively be includedin the consumable 150 (though this is less desired where the consumable150 is intended to be disposed of after use, as in this example).

The additional components 138 of the main body 120 may include anactuator, e.g. a button. The smoking substitute device 110 may beconfigured to be activated when the actuator is actuated. This providesan alternative to the airflow sensor noted, as a mechanism foractivating the smoking substitute device 110.

As shown in FIG. 3(b), the consumable 150 includes the tank 156, anelectrical interface 160, a heating device 162, one or more air inlets164, a mouthpiece 166, and, optionally, one or more additionalcomponents 168.

The electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 may include one ormore electrical contacts. In certain non-limiting embodiments, theelectrical interface 136 of the main body 120 and an electricalinterface 160 of the consumable 150 are configured to contact each otherand therefore electrically couple the main body 120 to the consumable150 when the main body 120 is physically coupled to the consumable 150.In this way, electrical energy (e.g. in the form of an electricalcurrent) is able to be supplied from the power source 128 in the mainbody 120 to the heating device 162 in the consumable 150.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the heating device 162 isconfigured to heat e-liquid contained in the tank 156, e.g. usingelectrical energy supplied from the power source 128. In one example,the heating device 162 may include a heating filament and a wick,wherein a first portion of the wick extends into the tank 156 in orderto draw e-liquid out from the tank 156, and wherein the heating filamentcoils around a second portion of the wick located outside the tank 156.In this example, the heating filament is configured to heat up e-liquiddrawn out of the tank 156 by the wick to produce an aerosol vapour.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the one or more air inlets 164 areconfigured to allow air to be drawn into the smoking substitute device110, when a user inhales through the mouthpiece 166.

In use, a user activates the smoking substitute device 110, e.g. throughactuating an actuator included in the main body 120 or by inhalingthrough the mouthpiece 166 as described above. Upon activation, thecontrol unit 130 may supply electrical energy from the power source 128to the heating device 162 (via electrical interfaces 136, 166), whichmay cause the heating device 162 to heat e-liquid drawn from the tank156 to produce a vapour which is inhaled by a user through themouthpiece 166.

FIG. 4 shows an example method involving the smoking substitute device110 of FIG. 2(a).

As previously described, the application installed on the mobile device2 is configured to communicate wirelessly with the smoking substitutedevice 110.

As shown in FIG. 4 , a user opens the application on the mobile device 2at S101, and the application asks the user whether they would like afunction, or a plurality of functions, to be demonstrated at S102. As anexample, the application may ask the user “Do you want to see somedevice features?”.

The user may be a new user, i.e. a user who has not previously used theapplication, or a user who has not previously experienced ademonstration of the function(s).

If the user inputs to the application that they would not like anyfunctions to be demonstrated (i.e. the user answer “No”), the smokingsubstitute device 110 will not demonstrate any functions and the processwill end at S106.

If the user inputs to the application that they would like a function,or a plurality of functions, to be demonstrated (i.e. the user answers“Yes”), the application informs the user about a function that can beperformed by the smoking substitute device 110 (i.e. at S103). Thefunction may be the smoking substitute device 110 providing feedback toa user that indicates a state of the smoking substitute device 110.

As an example, the application may inform the user that a flashing redlight on the smoking substitute device 110 indicates low battery. Theflashing red light may be performed by light 126 shown in FIG. 2(b).Alternatively, the flashing red light may be at another light source.

The application may inform the user about a second function that can beperformed by the smoking substitute device 110. As an example, theapplication may inform the user that a flashing blue light on thesmoking substitute device 110 indicates that a consumable 150 (e.g. apod) is empty.

It is noted that the application may inform the user about any number offunctions of the smoking substitute device 110.

The application may communicate with the application server 4 vianetwork 8, and receive information from the application server about thefunction(s).

At S104, the application instructs the smoking substitute device 110 todemonstrate the function(s) wirelessly via a wireless interface on themobile device 2 and wireless interface 134 on the smoking substitutedevice 110. The instructions may be based on the information receivedfrom the application server 4.

At S105, the smoking substitute device 110 demonstrates the function(s).According to the above example, the smoking substitute device 110 mayfirst demonstrate a flashing red light, indicating low battery, and thendemonstrate a flashing blue light, indicating that a consumable 150 isempty.

The demonstration of the function(s) (i.e. the feedback) does notnecessarily require the function(s) to be performed. As an example,demonstrating a flashing red light usually indicative of low battery maynot necessarily require the smoking substitute device 110 to have a lowbattery at the time of the demonstration. Instead, the applicationinstructs the smoking substitute device to simulate the flashing redlight indicating low battery by providing feedback in the form of aflashing red light. The user is therefore aware that a flashing redlight usually indicates a low battery, without the smoking substitutedevice 110 having a low battery at the time of the demonstration.

The application may be further configured to inform the user that thefunction(s) is being demonstrated. As an example, when the smokingsubstitute device demonstrates a red flashing light function (i.e. atS105), the application may inform the user that the smoking substitutedevice 110 is demonstrating the red flashing light function. Similarly,when the smoking substitute device demonstrates a blue flashing lightfunction (i.e. at S105), the application may inform the user that thesmoking substitute device 110 is demonstrating the blue flashing lightfunction.

Alternatively, the application may be configured to inform the user thatthe function will be demonstrated, or that the function has beenpreviously demonstrated.

It is noted that the functions (i.e. feedback) of the smoking substitutedevice 110 are not limited to flashing red or blue lights, but may beany one or more of, but not limited to, operating a light, operating alight in a predetermined colour, operating a flashing light in apredetermined sequence and/or a predetermined colour, haptic feedback(e.g. vibration of the smoking substitute device), producing a sound.

Example states of the smoking substitute device 110 indicated by thefeedback include (i) the smoking substitute device 110 is charging; (ii)the power source 128 of the smoking substitute device has low battery;(iii) the power source 128 of the smoking substitute device has fullbattery; (iv) the smoking substitute device 110 is searching for aconnection (e.g. a wireless connection) to the application on the mobiledevice 2; (v) the smoking substitute device 110 is connected to theapplication on the mobile device 2; (vi) the smoking substitute device110 is not connected to the application on the mobile device 2; (vii)the smoking substitute device 110 is being activated; (viii) the smokingsubstitute device 110 is not being activated; (ix) a consumable 150 isnot correctly connected to the main body 120 of the smoking substitutedevice 110; (x) a consumable is correctly connected to a main body 120of the smoking substitute device 110; (xi) a consumable 150 is empty;(xii) a consumable 150 is full.

FIG. 5 shows another example method involving the smoking substitutedevice 110 of FIG. 2(a). This method allows a user to learn how tooperate the smoking substitute device 10 to perform an operation,without needing to read a paper-based instruction manual. Morespecifically, FIG. 5 shows a method for ensuring that a consumable 150(referred to here as a “pod”) is correctly inserted into the main body120 of the smoking substitute device 110. It is noted that a similarmethod to that shown in FIG. 5 may be used to ensure that anotheroperation is performed correctly.

At S201, the application asks the user to position a consumable 150(“pod”) into a top end 122 of the main body 120. As an example, theapplication may display a message stating “Put pod into main body.”

At S202, the user inserts the pod 150 into the main body 120 of thesmoking substitute device 110. At S203, the user indicates at theapplication that they have inserted the pod 150 into the main body 120.

At S204, the application wirelessly instructs the smoking substitutedevice 110 to check (i.e. verify) whether the pod 150 has been correctlyinserted into the main body 120. At S205, the smoking substitute device110 checks whether the pod 150 has been correctly inserted into the mainbody 120. The smoking substitute device 110 may measure a valueindicative of the electric power between the electrical interface 136 ofthe main body 120, and the electrical interface 160 of the pod 150 inorder to verify that the pod 150 is correctly inserted into the mainbody 120 of the smoking substitute device 110.

At S206, the smoking substitute device S206 wirelessly communicatesinformation (i.e. “insertion information”) about whether the pod 150 iscorrectly inserted into the main body 120 of the smoking substitutedevice 110, to the application. The application then informs the userwhether the pod 150 is correctly inserted into the main body 120 of thesmoking substitute device 110 based on the insertion information. If thepod 150 is correctly inserted, the application displays a messagestating that the pod is correctly inserted (e.g. at S207). If the pod isincorrectly inserted, the application displays a message stating thatthe pod is incorrectly inserted (e.g. at S208). If the pod isincorrectly inserted, the application may then repeat S201-S206 untilthe pod 150 is correctly inserted into the main body 120 of the smokingsubstitute device 110.

Of course, a skilled reader would readily appreciate that the smokingsubstitute device 110 shown in FIGS. 2(a), 2(b), and 2(c) and FIGS. 3(a)and 3(b) shows just one example implementation of a smoking substitutedevice, and that other forms of smoking substitute device could be usedas the smoking substitute device 10 of FIG. 1 .

By way of example, a HNB smoking substitute device including a main bodyand a consumable could be used as the smoking substitute device 10 ofFIG. 1 , instead of the smoking substitute device 110. One such HNBsmoking substitute device is the IQOS™ smoking substitute devicediscussed above.

As another example, an open system vaping device which includes a mainbody, a refillable tank, and a mouthpiece could be used as the smokingsubstitute device 10 of FIG. 1 , instead of the smoking substitutedevice 110. One such open system vaping device is the blu PRO™e-cigarette discussed above.

As another example, an entirely disposable (one use) smoking substitutedevice could be used as the smoking substitute device 10 of FIG. 1 ,instead of the smoking substitute device 110.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the followingclaims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specificforms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or amethod or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate,may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised forrealising the present disclosure in diverse forms thereof.

While the present disclosure has been described in conjunction with theexemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications andvariations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given thisdisclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure set forth above are considered to be illustrative and notlimiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations providedherein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of areader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of thesetheoretical explanations.

Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes onlyand are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unlessthe context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” and “include”, andvariations such as “comprises”, “comprising”, and “including” will beunderstood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or groupof integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or stepor group of integers or steps.

It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appendedclaims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referentsunless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressedherein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” anotherparticular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodimentincludes from the one particular value and/or to the other particularvalue. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by theuse of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particularvalue forms another embodiment. The term “about” in relation to anumerical value is optional and means for example +/−10%.

1. A mobile device comprising: an application installed thereon, theapplication being configured to communicate with a smoking substitutedevice, wherein the application is configured to: instruct a user toperform an operation at the smoking substitute device; verify whetherthe operation has been correctly performed by the user at the smokingsubstitute device; and inform the user whether the operation has beencorrectly performed.
 2. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein theinstructed operation is inserting a consumable into a main body of thesmoking substitute device.
 3. The mobile device of claim 2, wherein ifthe consumable is incorrectly inserted, the application informs the userthat the pod is inserted incorrectly, until the consumable is insertedcorrectly.
 3. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein verifying whetherthe operation has been correctly performed by the user at the smokingsubstitute device includes the application communicating with thesmoking substitute device to instruct the smoking substitute device tocheck whether the operation has been corrected performed by the user atthe smoking substitute device.
 4. The mobile device of claim 1, whereinthe application informs the user whether the operation has beencorrectly performed through displaying a notification on a screen of themobile device.
 5. A system for managing a smoking substitute device, thesystem comprising: the mobile device according to claim 1; and a smokingsubstitute device, wherein the smoking substitute device is configuredto communicate with the application.
 6. The mobile device of claim 1,wherein the smoking substitute device informs the user whether theoperation has been correctly performed by the user at the smokingsubstitute device by providing feedback to the user.
 7. The mobiledevice of claim 4, wherein the feedback provided to the user by thesmoking substitute device includes one or more of: operating a light,operating a light in a predetermined color, operating a flashing lightin a predetermined sequence and/or a predetermined color, providinghaptic feedback, producing a sound.
 8. The mobile device of claim 1,wherein the smoking substitute device communicates information to theapplication indicating whether the operation has been performedcorrectly, and the application then informs the user whether theoperation has been performed correctly based on the information receivedfrom the smoking substitute device.
 9. A method of using a mobile deviceon which an application is installed, wherein the application isconfigured to communicate with a smoking substitute device, the methodcomprising the steps of: instructing a user to perform an operation atthe smoking substitute device; verifying whether the operation has beencorrectly performed by the user at the smoking substitute device; andinforming the user whether the operation has been correctly performed.10. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructionsconfigured to cause a mobile device to perform the method according toclaim 9.